Guwahati: One person was killed and at least 14 injured in a clash in Assam’s Hailakandi district on Friday. Following this, Internet services were suspended in the Barak Valley region for the next 24 hours.

The deceased has been identified as Jashim Uddin (28), who passed away at the Silchar Medical College and Hospital on Friday night; three others remain in critical condition.

At least 20 vehicles were damaged, several shops vandalised and set on fire in several parts of the town.

As per reports, the brawl broke out after a video showing some unidentified miscreants tearing a motorcycle seat cover went viral on social media sites. It has been alleged that the video was circulated by Hailakandi MLA Anwar Hussain Laskar on May 9.

Immediately after the incident, the district administration imposed Section 144 of CrPC in the area effective from 1 pm on May 10 until further order. Further, the state home department ordered temporary suspension of telecom services to avoid the spread of misinformation via social media in the sensitive region.

Hailakandi district magistrate Keerthi Jalli said that the curfew has been imposed as, “There exists strange relations between groups who are trying to indulge in and create communal violence. …there is apprehension of grave risks and danger to human life and properties, if persons are allowed to move about freely… which necessitates immediate action and speedy remedy for the maintenance of public order and tranquility.”

Meanwhile, chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal has announced an inquiry into the incident and directed additional chief secretary Rajiv Bora to conduct a comprehensive inquiry and submit report to the state government.